The Lord Giveth and Taketh Away
NewTalavan

Hurricane Katrina Approaching Land

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” As I watch the mad scramble for insurance money and government aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I am amazed by the transient condition of life in the material world. Lord Krsna describes in the Twelfth Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita that He is pleased by the devotees who are undisturbed by loss and gain. At present, I am wondering how powerful is the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as I observe evryone frantically trying to overcome their loss and damages. Let us not get lost in the madness of material pursuits. It is a jungle of false happiness and lamentation ready to pounce upon us at any moment. Better to live simply, accept the will of the Almighty, whether for loss or gain, and be always happy in Krsna Consciousness, loving devotional service to the Lord.

—Yogindra Vandana das

The Lord Giveth and Taketh Away
NewTalavan

Hurricane Katrina Approaching Land

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” As I watch the mad scramble for insurance money and government aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I am amazed by the transient condition of life in the material world. Lord Krsna describes in the Twelfth Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-gita that He is pleased by the devotees who are undisturbed by loss and gain. At present, I am wondering how powerful is the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as I observe evryone frantically trying to overcome their loss and damages. Let us not get lost in the madness of material pursuits. It is a jungle of false happiness and lamentation ready to pounce upon us at any moment. Better to live simply, accept the will of the Almighty, whether for loss or gain, and be always happy in Krsna Consciousness, loving devotional service to the Lord.

—Yogindra Vandana das

A Daring Rescue
NewTalavan

Daruka and Ramachandra who headed up the daring rescue

In the dark flooded city of New Orleans, Daruka with his swat squad of devotees headed by Keshava, stormed into the temple to save the day. Daruka owns a long distance trucking company and drove one of his Peterbuilt eighteen wheelers and Ramachandra drove a van with a few devotees to assist in saving the New Orleans temple.

Daruka said they had some close calls in New Orleans, but knew Krishna would protect them. Keshava rode shotgun and was armed. They went through a few check points. The water was about 2-1/2 to 3 feet and sometimes deeper. They had to drive through about 25 blocks of water to reach the temple.

Outside the temple there was about 4 feet of water and it stank. There were guys with automatic weapons walking around. Daruka is a little over 6 feet tall, has a dark south Indian complexion and is from Fiji. In his Peterbuilt tractor trailer he looked like a big tough black guy. He said the scariest moment call was from the police who wanted to commandeer his truck but found another truck to use instead.

From the New Orleans temple he picked up all the Deities—Radha Radhakanta, Nityananda and Lord Caitanya, Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama, and about 6 smaller Deities that were on the altar. He also brought to Dallas the Srila Prabhupada murti and a dozen devotees. He never would have driven his truck through such deep water but this was his loving service to Krishna.

Back in Dallas Daruka smiled laughed and shrugged off his lifesaving rescue. Below is a picture of the New Orleans Deities in the Dallas temple being worshipped in Prabhupada’s quarters.

A Daring Rescue
NewTalavan

Daruka and Ramachandra who headed up the daring rescue

In the dark flooded city of New Orleans, Daruka with his swat squad of devotees headed by Keshava, stormed into the temple to save the day. Daruka owns a long distance trucking company and drove one of his Peterbuilt eighteen wheelers and Ramachandra drove a van with a few devotees to assist in saving the New Orleans temple.

Daruka said they had some close calls in New Orleans, but knew Krishna would protect them. Keshava rode shotgun and was armed. They went through a few check points. The water was about 2-1/2 to 3 feet and sometimes deeper. They had to drive through about 25 blocks of water to reach the temple.

Outside the temple there was about 4 feet of water and it stank. There were guys with automatic weapons walking around. Daruka is a little over 6 feet tall, has a dark south Indian complexion and is from Fiji. In his Peterbuilt tractor trailer he looked like a big tough black guy. He said the scariest moment call was from the police who wanted to commandeer his truck but found another truck to use instead.

From the New Orleans temple he picked up all the Deities—Radha Radhakanta, Nityananda and Lord Caitanya, Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama, and about 6 smaller Deities that were on the altar. He also brought to Dallas the Srila Prabhupada murti and a dozen devotees. He never would have driven his truck through such deep water but this was his loving service to Krishna.

Back in Dallas Daruka smiled laughed and shrugged off his lifesaving rescue. Below is a picture of the New Orleans Deities in the Dallas temple being worshipped in Prabhupada’s quarters.

Thank you
NewTalavan

Dear Devotees and Friends,

Hare Krsna! Thanks for the prayers, love and practical assistance.

As far as helping hungry people in the devastated Gulf Coast area, devotees from New Talavan and temples in Dallas, Houston, New Vrndavan (our farm community near Moundsville, West Virginia), Washington DC, and Alachua, Florida certainly beat President Bush to the punch. We are already sending teams to the stricken Gulf Coast towns of Waveland, Biloxi and Gulfport to distribute prasadam: sanctified vegetarian food offered to Krsna—God—with love and devotion. Needless to say, our small efforts have been received with gratitude by the storm-tossed residents.

However, after great emotional pleading from local area officials, the Federal government is beginning to make its presence felt in this area. It will take a long time for complete recovery, but the agencies are finally working.

As far as ISKCON in the local area, our book distribution may decrease for the time being, but prasadam distribution is certainly on the increase.

Signing off for now,

Yogindra das
Temple president,
ISKCON New Talavan

Thank you
NewTalavan

Dear Devotees and Friends,

Hare Krsna! Thanks for the prayers, love and practical assistance.

As far as helping hungry people in the devastated Gulf Coast area, devotees from New Talavan and temples in Dallas, Houston, New Vrndavan (our farm community near Moundsville, West Virginia), Washington DC, and Alachua, Florida certainly beat President Bush to the punch. We are already sending teams to the stricken Gulf Coast towns of Waveland, Biloxi and Gulfport to distribute prasadam: sanctified vegetarian food offered to Krsna—God—with love and devotion. Needless to say, our small efforts have been received with gratitude by the storm-tossed residents.

However, after great emotional pleading from local area officials, the Federal government is beginning to make its presence felt in this area. It will take a long time for complete recovery, but the agencies are finally working.

As far as ISKCON in the local area, our book distribution may decrease for the time being, but prasadam distribution is certainly on the increase.

Signing off for now,

Yogindra das
Temple president,
ISKCON New Talavan